Cardamom butter chicken is a luxurious and aromatic twist on the classic Indian dish, blending rich, creamy flavors with the warm, slightly citrusy essence of cardamom. This dish is everything you love about butter chicken – tender, juicy chicken in a velvety tomato-based sauce, elevated with the subtle floral notes of cardamom that add depth and elegance.
The chicken is typically marinated in yogurt, garlic, ginger, and spices like cumin, coriander, turmeric, and garam masala. What sets this version apart is the inclusion of ground cardamom or crushed green cardamom pods in the marinade or sauce, which infuses the dish with a beautifully fragrant note that complements the smoky, savory spices.
Once marinated, the chicken is either grilled, pan-seared, or roasted until lightly charred, locking in moisture and flavor. It’s then simmered in a rich sauce made from butter, tomatoes, cream, and a blend of spices. The butter and cream create a luscious, silky texture, while the tomatoes add a slight tang that balances the richness. The cardamom subtly lingers in the background, enhancing the overall warmth and complexity of the dish.
Cardamom butter chicken is traditionally served with fluffy basmati rice, warm naan, or roti to soak up every drop of the flavorful sauce. A side of cucumber raita or a crisp salad helps refresh the palate between bites.
For drinks, it pairs beautifully with a chilled lager, crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc, or even a mango lassi for something sweet and cooling.
This dish is perfect for both special occasions and comforting weeknight dinners. The combination of rich butter, aromatic cardamom, and tender chicken creates an unforgettable, restaurant-worthy experience right at home.
Ingredients
- 500 g chicken breast cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tbsp butter unsalted
- 1 tsp ground cardamom
- 1 cup tomato puree
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1/2 tsp salt to taste
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper optional, for heat
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 medium onion finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tbsp ginger grated
Instructions
- In a large pan over medium heat, melt the butter and add the vegetable oil.
- Add the chopped onion and sauté until golden brown.
- Stir in the garlic and ginger, cooking for another minute.
- Add chicken pieces and cook until they start to brown.
- Stir in cardamom, cumin, coriander, garam masala, cayenne pepper, and salt, mixing well to coat the chicken.
- Pour in the tomato puree, reduce heat to low, and let simmer for 20 minutes.
- Add the heavy cream, stir well, and cook for an additional 10 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
- Garnish with cilantro if desired, and serve hot with rice.
Nutrition
This is the best butter chicken I’ve ever made! The cardamom adds such a nice flavor. Definitely a 5-star recipe!
I tried it but taste was too strong, I think too much cardamom? Maybe skipping it next time.
Was a bit skeptical at first. The flavor was great, but my chicken was a bit dry. Maybe I overcooked it?
YUM! I love butter chicken! This is a real keeper! ❤️
I mean, cardamom and chicken? Seems weird but gave it a shot. Not bad, but I probably won’t make it again.
I was skeptical about the cardamom but gave it a try. It turned out pretty good, although I think I prefer my usual recipe without it. 3 stars.
Cardamom can be a gamble, but I’m glad you tried it! It’s a unique flavor for sure. Next time, maybe less cardamom could work for you!
I messed up the ingredients and put too much garlic. Tasted strong but still kinda good, I guess? 2 stars.
Don’t sweat it! Garlic can sometimes just amp up the flavor. I’m sure it still turned out tasty! 👍
Easy to make but not my favorite. My kids didn’t eat it. May not try again. 2/5.
Can’t believe you put cardamom in chicken. Seems weird but it was surprisingly good.
Yum! But it was way too rich with all that cream. Next time I might use less.
Yummy! I loved the creaminess. Best chicken dish I’ve ever made!
Yum! This is totally a win in my book. So easy to make and it tasted like something from a restaurant. Will def make again!
This recipe is too complicated for me. Why so many spices?
Cardamom? Really? Never heard of using that in chicken before. Can’t imagine it tastes good.
Absolutely delicious! The cardamom gives it a unique twist. Will make again for sure!
I don’t know about this… Cardamom in butter chicken? Sounds odd. I think I’ll stick to the traditional way.
Bland as hell. I added more spices and it still didn’t help. Gonna stick with my usual butter chicken recipe.
Easy to follow, but my sauce was too thin. Should I’ve cooked it longer?
Wow, my family loved it! I added extra cayenne for some kick, soooo good!
OMG! Delicious! I never liked cardamom before but this changed my mind!
tasted good, but took too long to cook. I’m impatient!
Nice recipe, but I think it could use more spices. I love spicy food, and the cayenne pepper didn’t do much for me.
Isn’t cardamom just for desserts? Not sure why you’d put it in chicken, but I tried it and it was surprisingly tasty. I give it a decent 4.
I thought the same thing! But it’s actually really good with savory dishes too. Glad you liked it!
Cardamom in chicken? Sounds like a weird combo! Not sure I’d try it. 🤔
Looks good, but you’re missing the lemon juice! Adds a zing!
It’s just chicken with sauce, what’s the big deal? Mine tasted kinda bland, I think I need better spices.
I hear ya! Sometimes the spices just don’t hit right. Have you tried adding some fresh herbs or more cayenne? That might kick it up a notch!
Yasss! This is a keeper! Never thought cardamom would taste so good in chicken. 5 stars!
I totally agree! Cardamom gives it such a unique flavor. Planning to make it this weekend!
OMG this was amazing! I added extra cayenne for some heat and it was fire! 5 stars all the way.
I don’t know, the chicken turned out kinda dry for me. Maybe I cooked it too long? Not sure about this one.
I didn’t have cardamom, so I used cinnamon instead. Still turned out tasty! Lol.
This recipe is full of flavor! The spices balance so well. I used chicken thighs instead and it turned out perfect.
It was okay, but I think there are better butter chicken recipes out there.
This butter chicken is divine! The cardamom gives it a unique flavor. Definitely 5 stars!
This recipe is amazing! The cardamom adds a unique flavor that I’ve never tasted before. My family loved it!
This was so tasty! The cardamom gave it a unique flavor. Definitely making it again!
5 starz!! So good, my boyfriend asked for seconds, third!! Def recommend it for a dinner date.
Wow, sounds amazing! I love cardamom and chicken. Definitely trying this for my next date night!
Delish! I served it with naan and it disappeared fast! Thanks for sharing!
Amazin recipe! My family loved it, even my picky son. Thanks for sharing! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I’m so glad to hear that! This recipe really brings out the flavors. I made it last week and my kids devoured it too! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Hmm, sounds good and all, but what did you do to make it so good? I followed the recipe exactly, but mine was kinda bland. 🤔
This was an absolute delight! The cardamom added such a unique flavor. Definitely making this again!
Really easy to follow. I managed to make it without burning anything, yay!
I used whole chicken instead of breast. Cooked longer but still turned out yummy. Who cares about the cuts?
Honestly, I just don’t get why people put cardamom in chicken? Feels wrong.
I tried it but didn’t have all the spices, just used a curry mix. Still came out decent!
Glad it turned out decent! Sometimes, improvisation can lead to unexpected deliciousness. What curry mix did you use?
But isn’t curry mix like, totally different from the spices? I wonder how that changed the flavor. I’m skeptical.
I am not good at cooking but this seemed easy. I messed up the measurements and it was too salty. 😭
I thought it would be spicy, but it wasn’t. I added more cayenne and now it’s perfect for me!
Glad you made it work for you! Spicy food is the best! 🌶️
I dunno, shouldn’t it be spicy already? Sounds kinda off to me.
I substituted the heavy cream with coconut milk. Came out kinda weird… might stick to the original next time.
Yeah, coconut milk can be a bit funky in some dishes. I usually stick to what the recipe says too. Better luck next time!
This butter chicken recipe is a game changer! The flavors are just perfect. Will definitely make it again!
Isn’t cardamom just like a spice for baking? Didn’t think it would work in this dish. Will give it a chance tho.